Volvo’s Mean Green is world’s fastest hybrid truck

By Gene Ryan Briones on 05/03/2012 20:18 PDT

The engineers over at Volvo have proven that big-rigged trucks can also be fast and fuel-efficient. The Mean Green is Volvo’s one-off diesel hybrid truck that has set a world record in speed, being the fastest hybrid truck on the planet. While there are quite a few (even rare) hybrid trucks around, the Mean Green is setting the bar high at 147 miles per hour or 236.5 kph, breaking its previous record of just 135.9 miles per hour last year in June. While it seems that the truck was just racing itself, 147 miles per hour is pretty impressive for a big rigged truck. Mean Green’s record was recorded and certified by the United States Auto Club, a division of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile.

The engineers revamped the truck and modified almost every part of it to make it lighter and more aerodynamic. But engine-wise, Mean Green is a monster. Volvo used a diesel inline-six engine and a 200hp electric motor to produce a combined 2,100 horsepower, and over 5,000 pound-feet of torque. So, what’s the deal here? Not everyone loves to ride a huge speeding truck right? Ron Huibers, president of Volvo’s North American Sales & Marketing department, believes that Mean Green’s incredible performance emphasizes the strong potential of hybrid drivelines. After all, if a hybrid truck is durable enough to set records, it should be durable enough to haul freight as well.